Game Recap 5/16: Santana Propels Clippers

Tomlin, Santana help Clippers beat Bulls

The Columbus Clippers found their stride and their bats on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Park, as they defeated the Durham Bulls, 5-0. Josh Tomlin pitched well for Columbus as he blanked the Bulls on the afternoon, a team that outscored the Clippers in the first two games of the series, 15-4.
Carlos Santana had another big game against the Bulls as he went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer in the fifth, two walks, and three RBI's. That bomb was his seventh and his three RBI's gave him 32 on the year. He also had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning that plated the Clippers second run of the ballgame.

The Clippers got out to an early lead today against the hot hitting Bulls as Wes Hodges hit his fourth home run of the season to left field in the top of the second inning. The Clippers weren't done either as the bats continued to provide runs in the bottom of the third. Jose Constanza and Michael Brantley each singled to start the inning, and after Santana's sacrifice fly, Shelley Duncan drove home Brantley on an RBI single to left.

Tomlin pitched six scoreless innings for Columbus earning the win and pitched out of two jams in the second and the fifth innings. Tomlin allowed eight hits, one walk, and struck out two as he moved to 4-1 on the season. The Clippers' pitching staff combined to induce five double plays on the afternoon, keeping the Bulls off the scoreboard. In relief for the Clippers, Joe Smith pitched one inning of relief walking one and striking out one, Frank Herrmann came on in the eighth, and Jensen Lewis kept the shutout for Columbus in the ninth.

For the Bulls, the team combined for 10 hits, four from Dan Johnson and two from designated hitter, Rashad Eldridge. The Clippers had seven hits on the afternoon by seven different players, as Brian Buscher and Chris Gimenez failed to get in on the hitting party.

Aneury Rodriguez fell to 2-2 on the season for Durham as he pitched six innings giving up five earned runs on seven hits.

Aeros Drop Series Finale to R-Phils Sunday

The Aeros lost a close one today 3-2 in front of a crowd of 3,564 at Canal Park. Aeros pitcher Paolo Espino took the loss and is now 3-2 with a 3.98 ERA on the year. Getting the win was Vance Worley who is now 2-2 on the season for the Phillies.

Reading got on the board early in the top of the first inning against Aeros starter Paolo Espino. Reading center fielder Quintin Berry started the game with a base hit to right field. Berry then scored on a tailor-made-double play, as Reading took the early lead.

The Aeros had the bases loaded in the bottom half of the third inning, but couldn